FANTASY FOOTBALL ARTICLES

This series of analysis on the 32 NFL teams takes a look at where teams have been over the last three years for each position - where they have ranked in the most notable categories and the hard statistics produced. This is to give a view of each team heading into training camp and what they most likely need to improve on this season and where their strengths lie that likely won't need any changes. Ending each team review is a brief summation of what to watch in training camp in August to uncover those developing situations that you can take advantage. Combining where teams have come from and what they have done in free agency and the NFL draft gives you the very same thing that NFL coaches are looking at as they attempt to improve their team for 2009.

Quarterback - After finally realizing the Cardinals would be better served with Matt Leinart on the bench and Kurt Warner on the field, this offense has been cruising in the fast lane that ended in the Super Bowl last year. Warner brought this offense to being top five in passing categories for the last two seasons. The only problem is that Warner is 38 years old and has been surprisingly fortunate with injuries for the last two seasons. 2008 was the first season in seven years that Warner played all 16 games. The Cardinals need to get Leinart some work in training camp - he's going to figure in again and that may not be as far away as it may seem.

RB

Carries

Rush YD

YPC

Rush TD

Target

Rcv

Catch %

Catch YD

Rcv TD

Rank YD

Rank TY

Rank TD

2006

377

1256

3.3

10

97

69

71%

474

0

30

29

20

2007

366

1344

3.7

8

104

64

62%

529

1

29

30

25

2008

307

1100

3.6

14

118

81

69%

612

1

32

30

19

Running Backs - The Cardinals running backs are always among the least used in the league though last year saw Tim Hightower become a touchdown machine (10). But he really never was much more than a goal line player and only had a 2.8 YPC. Edgerrin James has moved on so now the rookie Chris Wells has an open door to be the fulltime, every-down back for the Cardinals. He's actually a good fit since he won't be asked to run the ball too much in this pass happy scheme and he too is a bruiser who can score the close touchdowns. Hightower and James combined only had 276 carries last year and that was in the most successful season in franchise history.

WR

Target

Rcv

Catch %

Catch YD

YPR

Rcv TD

Ranks YD

Rank TD

2006

372

218

59%

3124

14.3

16

2

9

2007

423

255

60%

3342

13.1

23

3

3

2008

461

310

67%

4013

12.9

30

1

1

Wide Receivers - No question where the elite pair of wideouts were in 2008. Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald combined for 23 touchdowns last year and a mere 2469 yards. If that wasn't enough - and it usually was - Steve Breaston added in to make the ultra-rare three wideouts with over 1000 receiving yards apiece. Jerheme Urban seemed a non-factor on this team because he only had 448 yards and four touchdowns. As with last year, there have been constant rumors and speculation that Anquan Boldin is going to be traded but nothing happened. It worked out well last year.

TE

Target

Rcv

Catch %

Catch YD

YPR

Rcv TD

Ranks YD

Rank TD

2006

50

34

68%

321

9.4

1

30

32

2007

57

37

65%

357

9.6

8

30

10

2008

40

25

63%

237

9.5

0

31

32

Tight Ends- The Cardinals almost never use their tight ends and the resulting ranks bear that out. Leonard Pope gave a minor spike in touchdowns (5) in 2007 but there is nary a tight end here worthy of any fantasy consideration.

Training Camp Fantasy Angle - The Cardinals return to camp as the NFC Champs along with all the same skill players outside of Edgerrin James being replaced by Chris Wells. That should prove to be an upgrade and while Wells had injury issues in college, he may be okay in the NFL if he follows the Cards normal usuage of backs and only tallies maybe 250 or so carries with enough goal line trips to ensure fantasy value. Wells is the only player of note to watch in the preseason though the persistent rumors about Boldin being traded will never die. If he does leave, then all eyes should be on Breaston whose fantasy stock will skyrocket in this potent offense.